Rumour Mill- Cotts v Howe for Jason Shackell?

Portsmouth boss and former Clarets boss, Steve Cotterill is understood to be keen to make Barnsley centre-half Jason Shackell his first signing under the club's new owners with a £1million swoop. Pompey`s new Russian rulers are beginning to open their cheque books and the club previously in dire financial straits seems to now be preparing to `go up stronger` with a number of new player targets.

Eddie Howe though is also thought to be interested and could be preparing to thwart Cotts plans whilst Derby too are also keeping a close eye on developments .So then could a club who` went down stronger` and would not dare go into debt beat one that suffered massive debt, administration and worse to sign a key target?

The Oakwell club is understood to be willing to sell their captain and key defender and Shackell is already believed to be in talks with Pompey.

Shackell started his career with Norwich City after coming through their youth system. In September 2008 he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers after signing a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £1 million. He then signed for Barnsley for an undisclosed fee in May 2010. The imposing 6ft 4" defender, now 27 replaced former Clarets defender, Stephen Foster as Barnsley`s captain this season.

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Will Burnley EVER have any muscle to beat our competitors in style? If Pompey beat the Clarets to this one you can stick your going down stronger up yer backside!! Oh and while we are it sign McCann and Cork too

I didn't see Barnsley last year, but did anyone who did have the honour think 'thats the guy we want'? The fact that Cotts, who ran a mean defence, is interested, does quicken the pulse. But then he flew to Florida to sign Wayne Thomas, as well as brought Cahill, Sinclair and McGreal to the Turf. Meanwhile, it's sad but probably true that 'trophy' owners and even shrewd sports franchise developers are both probably going to be keener to invest in bigger towns and telly markets than encircle the hallowed Turf. Also, it would be just our luck to be the first club to go into admin after the govt called time on the football creditors rule. ButI'm an easy-going guy, so I'll second the motion to sign Jack and Chris.

Football just has to change, how is it possible that a club that spent way above its means driving itself into bankrupcy and f*****g the majority of small business owners, can be allowed to pay all the players, coaches and agents and everyone else gets nowt, can then have the gaul to go and spend a million quid on a player quite honestly it turns my stomach new owners or not, they should be ashamed of there selfs and they should have had a three year transfer ban for me as for us signing him well cork and mcann have to be the first up haven't they

I work with a Norwich fan who echoes what Dale says. He thinks he is a very good player and seemed genuinely excited when I asked him about him: "Have you signed him!?" was his answer. Get him and Pearce in, and ship two out (Cort and A.N.Other) and I will be happy. McCann the next priority, followed by Cork. Treacy on the wing and hey presto(n)! ;-)

Obviously Pompey Malta has never been on the receiving end of a bancruptcy. Have a bit of sympathy for the small businessman with a family losing everything due to the stupidity of a large business concern

Pompey Malta, understand totally you want to see your club play, perhaps you could then sympathise with the individuals who lossed everything they had supporting the same club that you follow but d cant now afford to see them play, further you might want to consider buying two or three extra tickets a game and hand them out to these pompy fans, you know in an effort to help support them ! mmmmm!! ..... thought not

Latest from local Sheffield Star-The Reds have already rejected two £700,000 bids from Derby County for the influential centre-back’s signature.
But speaking exclusively to The Star, a Reds’ insider yesterday revealed that the Clarets had not made an official approach to try to entice the former Norwich and Wolves player to Turf Moor.
“There have been no approaches for Jason other than from Derby, both of which we turned down,” said the source.

Glad to read tmp is staying positive, Pompey fans who we have supported many times before on Vital Burnley having a pop when we all know it is fundamentally wrong to be able as a football club with financial problems (tic)to pay players but not the local paper shop and ST Johns Ambulance. So I look forward to hearing that Hollands Pies will be our suppliers again!

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